Motocross

Jay Marmont and Billy Mackenzie Confirmed For CDR Yamaha In 2014

Posted:

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

9:55 AM

After months of speculation and rumour CDR Yamaha have officially confirmed taht their 2014 rider line-up will feature the return of former champion, Jay Marmont to race along side 2013 team rider Billy Mackenzie.

Marmont, from Wollongong NSW, returns to the team after a two year hiatus and looking to get his career back on track with the CDR Yamaha team after a tough 2013 season.

His first stint with the factory Yamaha outfit netted four consecutive MX Nationals championships (2008 - 2011) in the premier MX1 division and an Australian Supercross championship in one of the sports' most successful partnerships.

As a result, Marmont became a legend of Australian motocross and his trademark gutsy, fight to the end, championship victories will be talked about for years to come. But Marmont isn't ready to sit back and reminisce about yesterday and still has his sights and goals set on winning races and championships in the season ahead.

"The last couple of years haven't been as I would have liked but returning to CDR Yamaha and surrounding myself with the most professional team in the pits is the start of getting the train back on the track," Marmont stated. "I have enormous respect for team owner Craig Dack and the way his team go about running a race team. It bought the best out of me when I raced for them before and I'm confident it will happen again.

"I feel I still have plenty to offer as a racer and I'm more determined than ever to put myself back where I belong and race with the same purpose and passion as I did in the 2008- 2011 era.

"I'm also really looking to getting stuck into riding the new 2014 YZ450F," Marmont continued. "I hear nothing but good reports about them and my first ride on the bike just blew me away with how much the Yamaha has improved."

Billy Mackenzie will return for his second year aboard the CDR Yamaha YZ450F and has been riding the all new bike since August last year - Credit: Aaryn Minerds

After a solid 2013 debut season with the CDR Yamaha team and netting his best result in the MX Nationals since he landed in Australia from the UK, Billy Mackenzie is back with the CDR Yamaha squad for 2014.

Mackenzie finished third in the 2013 MX Nationals and took some round and race wins along the way. With the year of familiarity in the CDR Yamaha team and also the highly acclaimed 2014 YZ450F underneath him, Mackenzie feels he is primed to have his best shot at the prestigious MX National championship.

"2013 was a good, consistent series for me but I want to continue to improve as a racer and go the extra step on 2014." Mackenzie explained. "I have really stepped up my off bike training since last season and feel fitter and stronger than I have at any other stage in my career.

"I have also spent some time on the new bike and I think it's an awesome bike. With the technical staff at CDR, I'm sure we will have the best bike on the track," he added.

"Again I will contest the New Zealand Motocross Championships for the Josh Coppins managed Yamaha Team in NZ and think that having both Josh and Craig in my corner is a great asset to my racing.

"I can't wait to get it started," Mackenzie concluded.

The combination that dominated the MX Nationals from 2008 - 2011 returns in 2014 as Jay Marmont and Craig Dack Reunite - Credit: Rice Photography

Team Owner Craig Dack is upbeat about his teams' 2014 prospects and points to the positive rider attitude to be a real bonus for his team.

"Both riders are extremely determined and dedicated at the moment," Dack said. "Jay and I remained close friends after 2011 and kept in close contact since.

"When the opportunity came up to have Jay return and ride for CDR Yamaha, we both sat down and worked towards making it happen. It was all about finding a way and setting a path to get his racing back where it needs to be and I'm confident he can regain the form that saw him win several championships with us.

"Billy's focus on training and preparation will hold him in good stead for the year." Dack continued. "He has amazing speed and skill on a bike, only his fitness seemed to hold him back but with his new dedication and his drive to finish the championship higher than 2013, Billy wants to be a contender in every race he enters."

The MX Nationals get underway on March 30 at Broadford in Victoria. The high profile out door motocross championship runs 10 rounds across nearly all states of Australia and is seen as the title to win in motocross racing in this country.

Top Image: Jay Marmont returns to the team he won four consecutive MX Nationals titls win from 2008 - 2011.
Credit: Aaryn Minerds (File 2011)